The second in a tough run of games saw Dronfield Town go down by 2-0 away at Parkgate FC. The Rotherham-based side took the lead through Silas Valladolid-Collins in the first half and wrapped up the win that kept them in fourth place in the table through substitute Rob Ludlam one minute from time. Dronfield had plenty of possession, especially in the second half, but were unable to create many clear-cut chances that would have allowed them to match their promotion-seeking opponents. Four games remain in the season for the North Derbyshire side and their quest for a top ten finish continues at Worsbrough Bridge Athletic on Wednesday night.
Parkgate showed their hand early on. The second minute saw prolific striker Ross Duggan sidefoot in off the post but the assistant referee signalled for an offside infringement.
After absorbing a period of pressure, the quarter of an hour mark saw a teasing Connor Chapell inswinging corner just evade the outstretched left boot of Callum Mawbey but a minute later, Dronfield would find themselves a goal behind.
Silas Valladolid-Collins, who tested the Dronfield defence all afternoon, cut in from his left wing berth and without a substantial challenge from the Town defence, rifled home from close range to make it 1-0.
The Parkgate winger caused alarm in the Dronfield rearguard once again on 27 minutes. Town gave the ball away in the penalty area and it was only due to consecutive saves by skipper Lewis Naylor that the hosts lead wasn’t doubled.
The half ended brighter for Dronfield. James Lindores teed up the ball nicely from the right and his set-up was headed narrowly over the bar by Mawbey.
Five minutes from the half time whistle, patient build-up down the left hand side ended with Town’s leading scorer Max Rhodes firing over the bar from 12 yards out.
Dronfield introduced Kenan McKenzie-Grey and Callum Riley for Arran Bovill and Sam Bebbington early in the second half and Riley had an almost immediate impact. His excellent crossfield ball found Chapell but no-one was able to get the final touch on his equally pinpoint cross.
Town stopper Lewis Naylor was called upon once more to keep his side in the game. He made a superb reaction save from Duggan on 71 minutes, only to see the flag raised and seven minutes later, he raced from his goal to make a brave stop from the pacy Valladolid-Collins.
Dronfield could have levelled eight minutes from time. Charlie Stewart showed great persistence in pulling the ball back from the byeline but neither Rhodes nor McKenzie-Grey could force it home.
Parkgate wrapped up the three points a minute from the end of the game. Substitute Rob Ludlam received the ball at the top of the area and unleashed a low strike that nestled in the bottom corner of the goal to seal the win at 2-0.
It was another game where Dronfield were undeniably competitive with their higher-ranked opponents but lacked a cutting edge that they have shown in recent fixtures. They have a chance to get back on track on Wednesday evening when they make the relatively short journey to Worsbrough Bridge Athletic, who currently sit in 14th in the NCEL Division One table.
Parkgate FC: Greaves, Whitfield, Tomlinson, Williamson, Hart, Patterson, Lumley, Potts, Valladolid-Collins, Haslam, Duggan. Subs: Ludlam, Smith, Guest, Tahar, McDonnell.
Dronfield Town: Naylor, Bebbington, Stewart, Lester, Wright, Gladwin, Chapell, Bovill, Rhodes, Lindores, Mawbey. Subs: Thorpe M, Siddons, Riley, Knight, McKenzie-Grey.
Attendance: 180
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